Ludhiana: Odd-even rule for shops discontinued amid uproar

As a mark of their protest, all shopkeepers opened their shops on Monday to show resentment against the government’s decision

The odd-even rule for opening shops of non-essential items was discontinued on Monday evening, following the directions of the state government. The information was shared by the police through the Facebook page of Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana.

Members of Ghumar Mandi Association interacting with police officials regarding odd-even criteria for opening shops in Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

Now, all non-essential shops can remain open from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6:30pm. Police have, however, appealed to the residents to avoid crowding and follow social distancing and other preventive measures to keep the virus at bay.

Earlier, during the day, shopkeepers in Ghumar Mandi, one of the main markets in the city, had opened their shops in defiance of the odd-even system, to mark their protest.

The traders said that their business was suffering due to curbs and they won’t be able to survive if the shops remained open only three days a week.

The shopkeepers, however, closed the shops in the afternoon after the administration assured a meeting with deputy commissioner Varinder Sharma.

President of the market association, Pawan Batra said, “For the last one week, we had been opening 50% shops but this is leading to losses. Moreover, no relief is being provided by the government or administration.”